A cobporation of massa



R. D. SMITH.

HEAT DISSIPATING SOCKET SWITCH.

APPucATioN F1LEU1UNE5. :912. RENEWED AuG.12,1919.

Patented J une 15, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

R. D. SMITH. HEAT DISSIPATING SOCKET SWITCH. APPLICATION man Juni s. 191i. RENEwEn Aue. l2, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented June 15, 1920.

Ewen/YR ,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAYMOND D. SMITH, OF ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 TREMONT PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION QF MASSA- l cHUsErfrs.

HEATDISSIPATING SOCKET-SWITCH. i'

i Application led June 5, 1917, Serial No. 172,932. Renewed August 12, 1919. Serial No. 317,099.

Toall 'u1/omit may concern:

Beit lmown that I, RAYMOND D. SMITH, a .citizen of theUnited States, residing at Arlington, in the county of4 Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heat-Dissipating' Socket-Switches, of Whichthe following is aispecifcation.

. yThis invention relates to improvements in the construction of socket-switches which are subject to heat generated by the electric current and particularly to lamp-dimming socket-switches. .of atype disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 141,67 6.

In suchA type .of 4incandescent lamp socketswitch, which yincorporates lin compact rform an auxiliary, self-contained, electrical resistance as a means for 'reducing the current through the lamp to dii'n the latter, it develops in practice that the heat necessarily generated in this resistance must be suitably dissipated to prevent the excessive accumulation thereof in the switch structure Aand in the base of the incandescent lamp. If not sufficiently dissipated, this heat may raise the temperature of the socket-switch structure and of the lamp to such a degree as to cause .serious impairment. Thus, surface corrosion of the switch 'contacts and deterioration of the switch-insulating fiber partsmay `be caused in the one case, and melting or softening of the soldered lampbase connections and of the bulb-holding cement, in the other.

Accordingly, 'the general object of the present invention is to provide a lamp-dimming socket-switch possessing all thel advantageous features of the socket-switch disclosed in my said copending application, but wherein the resistance unit and the associated socket and casing parts are so relatively arranged and formed that the heat generated in the former is rapidly dissipated to the atmosphere, thus preventing the accumulation thereof in the metallic parts of the socket and in the lamp base and avoiding thereby the consequent evil effects above described. 'it

My present invention particularly contemplates the accomplishment of the above object by so positionally relieving the resistance unit and the 'juxtapositioned socket parts each from the other, and by so piercing these several parts, that freefair has vent therebetween and therethrough, thuspreventing the excessive accumulation. yof, heat,

outer socket casing and its supporting mel tallic cap, whereby in a readily detachable manner these two parts are securely locked together for supporting the socket as a whole; and also is meant to include the usual manner in which the socket-switch is .inserted and held within this outer casing, so that no new problem of wiring or of assem blage shall confront the electrician when installing this ixture, or permanent typesof mv improved socketswitch.

`A still further object is to provide a shade i holder of suitable size and form and of agreeable appearance, itself coperatively perforated and conformed with the outer casing of the socketswitch to be supported thereby and to aid in the dissipation of heat by providing additional conductive and radiative agencies.

Novel details of arrangement and construction by which the above mentioned objects, among others, are effectively ac complished, include an arrangement of relatively spaced flanges (preferably two .on the threaded lamp receptacle and two on the resistance-supporting drum), so thatmetallic contact between these parts (both of which are supported by a common insulating block) is avoided; the provision of a generously ventilated air space, of appreciable volume, between the threaded lamp receptacle and the said metallic resistance drum, and of a similar ventilated air space between said drum and the outer supporting casing; the relieved lower surface of the lower` insulating block, whereby free access and circulation of air for cooling purposes is further afforded; and the relative diametrical d1- mensions of the switch body and casing in their different parts, whereby the latter telescopically may receive the former ,l ampre ccptacle first, as is customary in socketswitches, and desirable for certain purposes of assemblage, and whereby the socket body may be axiall supported and laterally guided prefcraliily by engagement of the lower extremity of the resistance drum with the inturned lower extremity of the outer casing.

Other improved features of construction will be pointed out in the following descrip- 'tion wherein reference is had Yto the accom panying drawings invwhich- Figure 1 'is a view of my improved lampdimming socket-switch, the same being shown-p'aitially in section on a central, vertical plane and with the casing and resistance un'itparti'ally broken lawaymore clearly to show the interior construction; Fig. 2 is a view taken partially in section and looking downwardly on the plane 2-2 in Fig. 1, the upper Vswitch actuating parts being omitted for clearness; Fig.` 3 is a section on the plane 3 3 in Fig. 2 showing a detail of construction; Fig/1 is an exploded view showing `in p elspective the lower insulating `block and the Elamp receptacle und resistance unit supported 'therebelo\v; Fig. 5 is a dia gram of electrical connection; Fig. G is a fragmentary view showing a modification in form Vand' construction of the outer casing and shade holder; Fig. 7 shows a desirable way in which ventilation may be -provided for the switch chamber;v Fig. 8 is afragvmentary view of the perforated insulating block used with the construction shown in Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 showspartially broken away and partially in section, a lmodified or adapter type of my improved dimmingsocket.

Throughout the drawings identical parts are designated by similar reference nnmerals.

1n ,Figs 1 to 4, inclusive, the usual upper and lower switch-insulating blocks appear at 10 and 1l respectively, supporting therebe tween the switch mechanism, which in the preferred embodiment herein disclosed, comprises a type of ratchet-driven or pull-switch well known in the art and includes an oscillatory driving wheel 12, a flexible pull chain 13, the operating spring 14 and the ratchet driven. contact-bridging plate 15, having spring wiper arms 16, 16 adapted electrically to connect diametrically opposite pairs of stationary Contact leaves 17. 1S, and 19, 20, which occupy selected `members of aen-cular series of inclines formed on the upper surface of the lower insulating block 1l.

`Current supply leads 15 and 26, the lamp 2i', and a resistance winding 28. hereinafter to be descrihed in detail, are electrically interconnected, ltogether with the said contact leaves, in a manner easily understood from reference ,to Fig. 5.

The coperating ratchet arrangement for rotatively driving the plate l5 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2 is such that, starting from the position of this plate as shown in said figure, where said plate bridges contact lea ves 17 and 18 and thereby supplies full current directly to the lamp, a full stroke upon the chain 13 will rotate the wiper arms of this contact piate'vsubstantially a quarter-turn and to a-position for bridging the blank inclines 21, 21 in which position all current through the socket is broken; and the said ratchet arrangement is further such that a partial stroke may rotate the plate 15 only sufficiently to permit the latter to drop to a seat on the contact leaves `19, 20, in which position, current to the lamp must pass through the resistance winding 2H, thus reducing such current and dimming -the lamp. An optional sequence of current control is thus available, dependent lon whether a full or partial strolteis imparted to the pull chain. and the 'lamp' consequently may either be extinguished or dimmed at will and by a single 'stroke on the chain when the lampis burning at full brilliancy.

T he improvement With which the present invention is most concerned, resides, as hereinbefore stated, in the novel structural arrangement of the resistance winding 28, and of the associated socket and casing parts. This winding comprises a single layer of fine resistance wire 2S wound'helically upon a metallic drum 30 and insulated therefrom by an interposed layer 31 of some suitable refractory material, such as mica. Another insulating and protecting layer 32 of matcrial having similar refractory quality, such as asbestos tape, is then applied to cover the winding 28 and is secured by some suitable adhesive, such as sodium silicate.

The drum 30 at its upper edge carries two inwardly extending flanges 33 and 34 which are secured to the lower surface of the block 11 by screws 35 and 3G for supporting-said drum. The holes in the flanges '33 and 34 for said screws are each provided with a bushing 37 as shown in Fig'. 3, 4for both electrica'lly and thermally insulating the'drum 30 from said screws and metallic parts contacted by the latter.

In its upper portion, the drum() and the layers wound thereon are perforated by a series of vent holes 38, to provide escape for the heated air contained in the space 40 betweon the said drum 30 and the threaded lamp receptacle 41. Foil strips 22 and 23 connect the extremities of the resistance winding 28 with contact leaves 17 and 19 respectively as shown in Figs. 1 and 4,-the strip '23 being suitably insulated where it crosses said winding, by4 a strip of mica or asbestos paper 24. and both strips bein suitably secured to avoid contact thereog with other than the designed metallic parts.

The lamp receptacle 41 is secured also to the insulating block 1l by means of flan es 4:2, 43 and screws 44, 45 in a manner simi ar to that in which the drum 30 is held; it being noted that the said latter lianges are so arranged and spaced, relative to those of said drum, that no metallic contact exists between the said drum and the lamp receptacle in any parts thereof, and that thus direct conductance of heat from the former to the latter is prevented.

Surrounding the switch mechanism and its supporting blocks l0 and 1l is a split, removable insulating sleeve 50, of some flexible material, such as pressed fiber, the outer diameter of which sleeve is as large or larger than the outer diameter of the resistance winding 28. An outer shell 51, at an upper portion thereof, is adapted snugly to encompass the said sleeve and to be telescopically slidable relative thereto, and at another and lower portion, said shell is relatively enlarged or swollen, thereby to be relieved from close proximity to the heat generating resistance winding 28, but tapering at the extreme bottom portion to a smaller diameter and further termination thereat in a narrow in-turned liange 52, which bottom portion thereby provides a firm axial support for the socket-switch bod f by presenting a seat and lateral guiding wall for the lower edge of the resistance carrying drum 30.

ln simple socket-switch structures, it has heretofore been common to support the inner switch. body by engagement of the outer and lower edge of the lower insulating block thereof with a shoulder formed by a decrease in diameter of the outer inclosing shell in a lower portion thereof. The novel method of support which l have above described, however, renders possible a firmer holding of said switch body within the inclosing shell, because less telescoping surface is presented and less looseness is therefore required in the fit of the inclosing shell about said body; at the same time7 although retaining the exact nature of telescoping assemblage common to socket-switches in general, l obtain the above advantage, together with a generous spacing of said outer shell from said resistance sleeve in the portion of the former proximate the latter.

To further the free access of air into and around the space inclosed by the resistance winding Q8 and the outer shell, l preferably perforate the latter with large and numerous openings, or, if desired, I may construct this shell with substantially an unobstructed annular and upward opening approximately at a height of the lower insulating block 1l as shown in Fig. 6, through which the heat and air drafts may freely rise to escape confinement by the portions of the shell surrounding said resistance Winding.

In either form of the outer casing, a shell formation is presented available for supporting a suitable shade-holder, such as appears at 53, for supporting an outer shade 49, said shade-holder in either case being in its upper portion eonforn'ied to the shape of the shell il to au extent whereby appreciable arca of metalliil contact is presented for conducting away and radiating the heat from said shell.

ln Figs. 7 and 8, I have shown further provision for facilitating the escapement of heat, particularly from the switch chamber. Here numerous shielded openings 54 are formed by striking outwardly the metal in the walls of the outer shell 5l, and similar treatment may he accorded the cap 55 as `shown at 36. Said cap may have the usual telescoping and locking engagement with the upper portion of' the outer shell, the ventilation being iurthered by the provision of air passages 57 through the upper insulating block 10. In this construction the insulating sleeve 50 is, of course, correspondingly perforated at 5S, and likewise any lining contained in the cap. In Fig. 7 also, inter-communicating recesses 59 are shown in the lower surface of the block 1l, through which air may circulate for cooling the heretofore described supporting flanges of the lamp receptacle and resistance drum.

Fig. 9 illustrates a modified form of my improved socket-switch above describe wherein the cap 55 is dispensed with, and the'upper insulating block 10 is increased in size and provided with insulated brackets 6) to which the shell 51 may be secured by lateral screws Gi. A threaded plug (i2, oi' standard lamp-base dimension replaces the supply lead and a center contact tongue G3. the supply lead 2G; so that proper electrical connection is had by inserting this adapter l type of socket-switch in an ordinary lamp socket. Ventilation for cooling the switch chamber is afforded by the openings 64 in the porcelain block 10.

The novel features of construction which in a socket-switch structure l have provided, as herein described, for aiding in the dissipation of heat and for preventing the undesirable accumulation thereof within the switnh or lamp supporting elements, are obviously available for use with any socket wherewitll is incorporated a heat-generating electrical unit whether such unit be the incandescent lamp itself, or otherwise, as in the present case: and wherein it is desired to retain the advantages of the usual principles of shell assemblage and support; and my invention is therefore not limited to the precise embodiment thereof herein disclosed, but what l claim as new is:

i. The combination with a. socket-switch structure, including a lower supporting and insulating block for a switch mechanism carried thereabovc, and a lamp receptacle depending 1from the lower surface oi' said bloei,` of an insulated supporting drinn rigidly Secured to the lower face of said block, snrroumling said receptacle and spaced therefrom at all points; an insulated resistance winding carried by said drum; an outer supporting and protecting casing adapted telescopically to receive and to inclose both said socket-switch structure and said resistance winding,-said casing having an inwardly extending lower portion adapted to support the said drum and thereby said socket-switch structure by engagement with the former; together with means ot attachment for said casing whereby said socket-switch structure is retained therewithin.

2. The combination with a socket-switch structure, including a lower supporting and insulating block for a switch mechanism carried thereabove, and a lamp rece )tavole depending from the lower surface o, said block; of an insulated supporting drum rigidly secured to the lower face of said block. surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom at all points; an insulated resistance winding carried by said drum, said drum being perforated at the upper portions thereof to give air-rent to the space between said receptacle and said drum; an outer supporting and protecting :asmg adapted teleseopically to receive and to inclose both said socketswitch structure and said resistance windine', said casing having an inwardly eX- tending lower portion adapted to support the said drum and thereby said socketswitch structure by engagement with the former; together with means of attachment for said casing whereby said socket-switch structure is retained therewithin.

3. The combination with a socket-switch structure` including a lower supporting and insulating block for a switch mechanism carried thereabove, and a lamp receptacle depending from the lower surface of said block, of an insulated drum rigidly secured to the lower face of said block, surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom at all points; an insulated resistance winding carried by said drum; an outer supporting and protecting easing adapted telescopically to receive and to inclose both said socket-switch structure and said resistance winding-said casing being relatively enlarged and perforated in a portion thereof proximate the said resistance windingr to provide a well ventilated air space between said portion and said winding` and the said casing being further relatively decreased in size at its lower portion and thereat formed to support the said drum and said switch structure by engagement with the lower extremity of the former; to-

gether with means of attaelnnent for said casing whereby said socket-switch structure is retained therewithin.

4. The combination with a socket-switch structure, including a lower supporting and insulating block tor a switch mechanism carried tliercabove, and a lamp receptacle depending from the lower surface oi' said block, ot an insulated supporting drum rigidly secured to the lower tace of said block, surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom at all points; an insulated resistance winding carried by said drum, said drum being perforated at the upper portions thereof to give air-vent to the space between said receptacle and said drum; an outer supporting and protecting casing adapted telescopically to receive and to inclose both said socket-switch structure and said resistance winding-said casing being relatively enlarged and Aperfo ated in a portion` thereof proximate the said resistance winding to provide a well ventilated air space between said portion and said winding, and the said casing being further relatively decreased in size at its lower` portion and thereat Jformed to support the said drum and said switch structure by engagement with the lower extremity ot the former; together with means of attachment for said casing wherebv said socket-switch structure is retained thcrewithin.

5. The combination with a cylindrical socket-switch structure, including a lower insulating button for supporting a switchmechanism carried thereabove; of a cylindrical and removable insulating wall inclosing the said mechanism; a lamp receptacle depending from the lower surface of said button; an insulated and rigidly mounted resistance unit formed as a. cylindrical sleeve, surrounding the said receptacle and spaced therefrom at all points, said unit having an internal diameter substantially greater than the outer diameter of said receptacle, and an outer diameter not greater than the outer diameter of said wall; and an outerr` cylindrical inelosing casing for said structure and said unit teleseopically removable therefrom, said casing having in its upper portion an inner diameter not less than the outer diamter of said wall, and having at its lower portion a relatively less diameter for engaging with said resistance unit axially to support the same; together with means oi attachment for said casing whereby said socket-switch structure and resistance unit are retained therewithin.

6. A socket-switch structure, embodying in combination; an upper and lower insulating block with switch mechanism supported therebetween: a lamp receptacle depending from the lower surface of said lower block; a resistance carrying sleeve rigidly mounted on said lower block surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom at all points; an outer inclosing shell adapted at the upper or larger end thereof telescopically to receive first said sleeve and then said blocks and near the lower or smaller end axially to support the same by engagement with said sleeve; and a cap formed to lock with said upper end of said shell, to hold said blocks and said sleeve therewithin.

7. A socket-switch structure, embed Ting in combination; an upper and :i lower insulating block with switch mechanism supported therebetween; a lamp receptacle depending from the lower surface of said lowei` block; a resistance carrying sleeve rigidly mounted on said lower block surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom at all points, said resistance sleeve being perforated to give vent to the space between same and said receptacle; an outer inclosing shell adapted at the upper or larger end there-of telescopically to receive first said sleeve and then said blocks and at the lower or smaller end axially to support the same by engagement with said sleeve, the said shell being relatively enlarged in a lower portion thereof to provide a space between said lower portion and said sleeve, and said shell also having openings in said portion to provide air vent for said space; and a cap formed to lock with said upper end of said shell, to hold said blocks and said sleeve therewithin 8. A socket-switch structure, embodying in combination; an upper and a lower insulating block with switch mechanism supported therebetween; a lamp receptacle depending from the lower surface of said lower block; a resistance carrying sleeve rigidly mounted on said lower block surrounding said receptacle and spaced therefrom at all points; an outer inclosing shell adapted at the upper or larger end thereof telescopically to receive first said sleeve and then said blocks and switch mechanism, and adapted at a lower portion to support the same; the said shell having openings` in a portion thereof opposite said switch mechanism, to give air vent to the space containing the latter; and a cap formed to lock with said upper end of said shell, to hold said blocks and said sleeve therewithin, the said cap also having air vents therethrough; together with perforations in the said upper insulating block whereby free communication of the air in the spaces above and below said upper insulating block is established.

9. In a socket-switch structure, in combination; a lower insulating and switchsupporting block; two stationary and concentrically disposed shells having separate and spaced flanges whereby said shells are rigidly and independently mounted on the lower surface of said block, the said shells being of relatively different diameters whereby a substantial air space is provided therebetween, the inner of said shells being adapted to receive the base of an incandescent lamp, and the outer of said shells carrying a heat generating resistance unit operably connected to the switch.

10i In a socket-switch structure, in combination; a lower insulating and switch-supporting block; two stationary and concentrically disposed shells having separate and spaced flanges whereby said shells are rigidly and independently mounted on the lower surface of said block, the said shells being of relatively different diameters whereby a substantial air space is provided therebetween, and the inner of said shells being adapted to receive the base of an incandescent lamp; a resistance winding and insulating layers therefor carried externally on the outer ot' said shells, said winding having operative electrical connections with the socket switch; and an outer inelosing and supporting casing formed at one end thereof telcscopically to receive the said yshells and said supporting block, and at the other or smaller end axially to support and laterally to guide the same by engagement with said outer shell.

1.1. ln a socket switch structure, the combination of an insulating plate carrying switch mechanism thereabove; a cylindrical lamp receptacle attached to the lower surface of said plate; a stationary and rigid sleeve, carrying a resistance, and attached to the structure surrounding and spaced from the said receptacle; and a cylindrical easing formed to telescope with the conjoined switch-platearid-sleeve structure, and further formed to support the same; together with means to lock said conjoined structure within said casing.

l2. A structure as specified in claim 1, in which the lower surface of the insulating block, therein recited, is provided with recesses communicating with each other and with the spaces between said receptacle, drum, and casing, whereby air circulation between and around these parts is facilitated to aid in the dissipation of heat.

Signed at Boston, Massachusetts, this 4th day of June, 1917.

RAYMOND D. SMITH. lVitnesses:

JAMES D, GORDON, J. E. BLAGKMAN. 

